Blades record Liverpool draw

A controversial penalty spared Liverpool's blushes in their 1-1 draw against Premiership newcomers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The home side had taken the lead through an unmarked Rob Hulse just 52 seconds into the second half.

But they were denied all three points when referee Rob Styles ruled Steven Gerrard had been brought down in the area by Chris Morgan, Robbie Fowler converting from the spot.

Starting with just one new face in his line-up in Hulse, it was the £2.2million buy from Leeds who had the ball in the back of the net late in the first half. He slipped a shot beyond Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina, but the offside flag had long been raised to stifle celebrations.

Midway through the half a long ball from Sami Hyypia was picked up by John Arne Riise, who made his way to the edge of the area.

Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was slow off his line and beaten for pace as Riise turned the ball into the area, before the Norwegian went over on his ankle after being challenged by Leigh Bromby. Morgan was on hand to head away the danger, while for Riise it was the end of his game as he was taken off on a stretcher a few minutes later with his left leg in a brace.

Following a clash of heads between Mohamed Sissoko and Chris Armstrong, there was further trouble for Reds boss Rafael Benitez when Jamie Carragher limped off in the 35th minute.

The breakthrough came within a minute of the restart, with Unsworth the supplier with a whipped free-kick from the left wing. No Liverpool defender picked up Hulse, and he was allowed to rise unmarked and power a five-yard header past Reina in front of Bramall Lane's own Kop.

Fowler and Gerrard exchanged a one-two on the edge of the area, with Morgan sliding in to make a challenge on the latter. There appeared to be minimal contact, with Gerrard's momentum as he clipped in a shot that was scooped up by Kenny, sending him tumbling.

Styles immediately pointed to the spot, allowing Fowler to send Kenny the wrong way after the United keeper had committed himself.